We all know that you can’t believe everything you read — or see on television. These days, add the internet, that labyrinth of information, good, bad and indifferent. In a world of unending advertising, political propaganda and serial scandals, it is very difficult to know what the real facts are.

About so many issues we probably would add and who cares? Oh the trivia that rates front page billing on daily papers and glossy magazines.

But there are some issues that matter. Some hold huge significance.

A case in point
Think of a recent report that the bones of Jesus were found by archaeologists in Israel. If this was true, incontestably true, Christianity is empty and Christ himself a fraud. But hold on. When we want to know truth, sources are all-important. This is another case of people with a little knowledge running away with it and getting attention. Better informed people give it zero credit to such things much like the story-telling of Dan Brown in his Da-Vinci Code. As one old preacher said, “A lie is half-way around the world before the truth gets its boots on.”

Has Easter a good foundation?
Some years ago, Frank Morrison, a lawyer, thought he would investigate the claim that Jesus rose from death and then write his debunking of the idea. He finally wrote a book in defence of the resurrection entitled Who Moved the Stone? But he is only one of many who have gone down the same track. In fact, right back at the time of Christ’s death, His enemies were trying to prevent any reporting of a resurrection. They redoubled their efforts when it appeared that he had in fact risen.

Facts are stubborn things
How futile were their attempts to discredit the teaching that was going on. There was no explanation for the obviously empty tomb. The previously scared disciples of Christ were now valiant for the truth even at risk of their lives. No corpse could be produced. Christ appeared in different places over a period of several weeks. Furthermore, and most importantly, His resurrection was the fulfilment of what He himself had foretold and was an integral part of the plan of God revealed over centuries of time before Christ was born. Because He rose, lives have been transformed and the history of the world has been forever changed.

The Christian gospel is a bigger thing than some people portray it to be. Through His death and resurrection Christ overcame the power of both sin and death. The Bible says that “every eye shall see him” in a coming day. The one who died to be our Saviour will one day be the judge of the world. Then, as the Bible promises, “every knee shall bow” to Him.

It is better for us to face his claims upon us with sincerity and honesty now, rather than face Him in judgment when He comes again. The truth is precious. Don’t swap it for a lie.